Butterflies
Extending the Garden With Great Native Plants in Pots
If you are like many gardeners, you are scouring your landscape to figure out where else you can squeeze in another plant. No empty spots in your garden? No problem. Containers are the answer! While many gardeners plant in pots, few realize that there are many native plants which will do very well in containers. Not only are native perennials…
Read MoreSpring Wildflowers With Carol Gracie part 1
After a long, cold, seemingly never-ending winter, what a treat it was to go on a spring wildflower hike with author, photographer and naturalist Carol Gracie. Gracie is the author of two excellent books on wildflowers. Her first book, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States, was co-authored with Steven Clemants and published…
Read MorePraying Mantis Confidential
Most of us hold the Praying Mantis and other Mantises in high regard – highly beneficial insects in our landscapes, valued as voracious predators of insect pests. They are fascinating creatures that charm even those people who are squeamish about “bugs.” We have put Mantises on an “insect pedestal” wishfully thinking that they are protected by some state or federal…
Read MoreA Bakers Dozen of EcoBeneficial Ideas for Earth Day
Give your ecosystem a gift this Earth Day with these 13 ideas that are sure to please the environment: 1) Select at least 25% of your lawn that you don’t really use. Make a commitment to turn that area into a habitat garden by the end of spring (pollinators, butterflies, birds, etc.). 2) Comb your garage and garden shed for…
Read MoreGardening Differently This Spring With an Ecological Focus
As spring begins, gardeners and landscape pros take off like runners at the starting line when the gun goes off. Please pause for just a moment, and consider how you might do things a little bit differently in the landscape this year. This spring you can make a huge positive impact to the landscapes you design, install, garden or maintain. …
Read More“Wildlife Matters” Landscaping Conference at The Native Plant Center
The dramatic decline of many of our common species has been an environmental wake up call. The Monarch butterfly population is crashing, honey bees and many native bee species are experiencing record losses, and the 20 most common bird species have dropped by an average of 68% in the past 45 years (National Audubon Society). These iconic species are…
Read MorePlant It and They Will Come: Cedar Waxwings & Serviceberries
The Cedar Waxwing is one of my favorite bird species – the adults with their sleek tan and gray Cardinal-like bodies, bright red spots on their wing tips and yellow “paint” on the tips of their tails, but best of all – their Zorro-like masks. Chances are, you have Cedar Waxwings around at some point in the year, as they…
Read MoreExploring Native Plant Superstars with Dr. Doug Tallamy
Some native plants are true workhorses in the landscape providing a wide array of benefits to your ecosystem, while adding beauty to your landscape. One such terrific plant is Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). There aren’t many native plants that bloom from spring through fall – this one does. While visiting with Dr. Doug Tallamy (author of Bringing Nature Home) in…
Read MoreReplacing the Green Desert: Why Native Plant Alternatives to Turf?
The great American love affair with lawns has a long tradition. The funny thing is, it’s not even our tradition – we adopted the idea from Europe where turf grasses are native. And that’s where the ecological problem starts. Our native flora and fauna species did not co-evolve with European turf grasses and are not supported by these exotic grass…
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